You can't get blood from a stone

Try other Congresspeople

Just get this done

From Washington monthly:

'...PRESIDENTIAL CARROTS....

With the fight over health care reform nearly over, a group of about 40 House Democrats will decide whether the effort succeeds or fails. The right's efforts to encourage these Dems to join Republicans in killing the reform proposal are pretty straightforward. But the push among supporters features two parallel angles.

We talked about the first earlier: unions like the SEIU and grassroots organizations like MoveOn.org are playing hardball, letting wavering Dems know their future in Democratic politics is in jeopardy if they make the wrong choice.

But while those sticks have been laid on the table, President Obama is still relying on carrots.

Mr. Obama is making daily telephone calls to Democrats who supported the health care bill last year, but have yet to decide how they intend to vote this time. He is also focusing on those who opposed the legislation, including Representative Dennis J. Kucinich of Ohio, who said the measure did not go far enough. [...]

The White House has signaled to lawmakers that assistance for midterm elections -- for example, presidential visits and fund-raisers -- will be prioritized for those who support the bill.

The president is doing more, apparently, than just working the phones. In at least one case, Rep. Scott Murphy (D-N.Y.), who voted against reform in November, was summoned to the White House for a one-on-one meeting with Obama. It's probably safe to assume there will be quite a few similar meetings over the next few days.

It's the key reason the president delayed his scheduled trip to Asia -- he needs to be twisting some arms at just the right moment. Will his efforts pay off? We'll know soon enough.

But this presidential lobbying highlights the underlying reality of why so many lawmakers have identified themselves as "undecided" over the last week or so -- they want leverage. By withholding support, they have it...'

"lunch will be served to you on the White House lawn next to a sign that says "Eat @!$%# Here". Hope you all can make it."  

CA, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Friday, March 12, 2010 3:09 PM)

How sad that THIS one quote is TOTALLY correct.

This is what the Obamination Administration is saying to every taxpaying American that does NOT support the out of control spending, or the "taxing now for a program 4 years from now" policies being forced upon them.

And the liberal leftie dems, that want something for nothing, on the backs of everyone else, obviously subscribe to it also.

As was so elloquently demonstrated here.

We don't need no stinking HCR. The wife and I get our insurance through medicare and the kids are on their employers nickel so why should all of us be forced to pay for someone elses insurance?

You people without inusrance or jobs just need to get off your lazy behinds and earn it like the rest of us.

Keep the government out of our healthcare.

How many "finals" does this make? How many deadlines have there been? How many times has "the time for talk" passed, yet the President is still talking? This wildly unpopular legislation has become an albatross of gargantuan proportions around the collective necks of the democratic party, and threatens to lay the groundwork for an electoral debacle in November.

While I support Congressman Kucinich's firm statement, the vote isn't today, and things change.  I don't support his reasoning, I'm not a big fan of the public option.  I work in the financial arm of a fairly large organization, it's my belief that many employers will look at the cost associated with not providing insurance (750-1,000 per employee were the last values I saw), and realize that they are spending quite a bit more than that on their existing plans.  How long will it be before management realizes that the cost savings are significant, and can be translated right to the bottom line for profits?

Axelrod, to be sure in getting an accurate vote count, will put Dennis down as a "Definite Maybe".

I guess I will be seeing more of you guys than normal. God bless and Go Obama! Lets get HCR and Dodd's bill finished!

Saint Dick, Dallas, TX (Sent Friday, March 12, 2010 11:18 AM)

Yes St. Dick it happened to me 2 months ago, i'm a plumbing estimator in the chicago construction  market and it looks like I may have to relocate to a different city. the construction market here is down worse than ever.

so i'll keep you in my prays, and keep me in yours.

unemployment insurance is paying me 1/4 of what i made. i don't see how people can make ends meet living off there umemployment insuarnce.

whats keeping me going is my pay out from my 401K plan, but that is suppose to be for my retirement. Oha well.

Its the banks that are not lending that is keeping us in this mess. the banks we bailed out.

Jeff Evanston IL.

Of course the banks are not lending. If they lend to the housing/commercial market, the best they can do is a 5% return. The Feds are keeping the interest rates for real estate artificially low so people can buy homes, but only the best credit risks might get that money, so there is little market for homes today. The banks that we bailed out are taking that money and investing it in high growth countries, like China. There they can get returns in the 10-20% range on their investments with little risk. The choice is an easy one for the banks.

Talk about IMPROPER

Talk about politicization

'...In 2000, while at the Heritage Foundation, she was recruiting staff for a possible George W. Bush administration as her husband was hearing the case that would decide the election...'

From Huffington:

'...Justice's wife launches 'tea party' group

As Virginia Thomas tells it in her soft-spoken, Midwestern cadence, the story of her involvement in the "tea party" movement is the tale of an average citizen in action.

"I am an ordinary citizen from Omaha, Neb., who just may have the chance to preserve liberty along with you and other people like you," she said at a recent panel discussion with tea party leaders in Washington. Thomas went on to count herself among those energized into action by President Obama's "hard-left agenda."

But Thomas is no ordinary activist.

She is the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, and she has launched a tea-party-linked group that could test the traditional notions of political impartiality for the court.

In January, Virginia Thomas created Liberty Central Inc., a nonprofit lobbying group whose website will organize activism around a set of conservative "core principles," she said.

The group plans to issue score cards for Congress members and be involved in the November election, although Thomas would not specify how. She said it would accept donations from various sources -- including corporations -- as allowed under campaign finance rules recently loosened by the Supreme Court.

"I adore all the new citizen patriots who are rising up across this country," Thomas, who goes by Ginni, said on the panel at the Conservative Political Action Conference. "I have felt called to the front lines with you, with my fellow citizens, to preserve what made America great."

The move by Virginia Thomas, 52, into the front lines of politics stands in marked contrast to the rarefied culture of the nation's highest court, which normally prizes the appearance of nonpartisanship and a distance from the fisticuffs of the politics of the day.

Justice Thomas, 61, recently expressed sensitivity to such concerns, telling law students in Florida that he doesn't attend the State of the Union because it is "so partisan." Thomas, who was nominated by President George H.W. Bush, has been a reliable conservative vote since he joined the court in 1991.

Experts say Virginia Thomas' work doesn't violate ethical rules for judges. But Liberty Central could give rise to conflicts of interest for her husband, they said, as it tests the norms for judicial spouses. The couple have been married since 1987.

"I think the American public expects the justices to be out of politics," said University of Texas law school professor Lucas A. "Scot" Powe, a court historian.

He said the expectations for spouses are far less clear. "I really don't know because we've never seen it," Powe said.

Under judicial rules, judges must curb political activity, but a spouse is free to engage.

"We expect the justice to make decisions uninfluenced by the political or legal preferences of his or her spouse," said New York University law professor Stephen Gillers, an expert on legal ethics.

Virginia Thomas declined to comment in detail about her plans for LibertyCentral.org, which she said would fully launch in May. In a brief phone interview, she did not directly answer questions about whether she and her husband had discussed the effects her role might have on perceptions of his impartiality.

"I don't involve myself in litigation. Are you asking that because there's a different standard for conservatives? Did you ask Ed Rendell that question?" she said, referring to the Democratic governor of Pennsylvania, who is married to a federal appellate court judge.

Virginia Thomas has long been a passionate voice for conservative views. She has worked for former Republican Rep. Dick Armey of Texas and for the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank with strong ties to the GOP.

In 2000, while at the Heritage Foundation, she was recruiting staff for a possible George W. Bush administration as her husband was hearing the case that would decide the election. When journalists reported her work, Thomas said she saw no conflict of interest and that she rarely discussed court matters with her husband....'

Is she gonna 'burn crosses' too ?

How impartial is Thomas in his decisions ?

Should he step down from the court ?

Impeach John roberts

In Illinois, Alexi Giannoulias (D) -- despite all the problems he's currently facing -- is ahead of Mark Kirk (R) by seven points, according to a recent Research 2000/Daily Kos poll (and there are private polls also showing Alexi ahead; if Kirk were leading in his own poll, wouldn't we see the numbers by now?).

Why would Kirk have poll numbers? The election isn't for another 7+ months, and Kirk has a real job he has to go to everyday in the House of Representatives. Giannoulias on the other hand is an out of work bank exec from a bankrupt bank and he has a lot of time on his hands.

Dennis Kucinich is standing strong against the Senate perversion of health care reform but he really needs to understand that while the bill stinks it's still better than nothing.  I hope he realizes how important it is to just hold his nose and vote yes to ensure that the Democrats hand the people a big victory over big corporations and their lackeys the party of sore losers.

Just saw the sad news that Keith Olbermann's Dad passed away this weekend.  My heartfelt condolences to Keith and family during this sad time for them.

On the bright side Keith will be back at his awesome Countdown show soon to start kicking the rear ends of the party of sore losers.

We Love You Keith, Come Back Soon!

Don't like Dennis's politics. But unlike Obama, at least he tells people where he stands and what he believes.

Will the Obama administration now say Dennis is from the Party of 'No'?

And on a lighter note....

Boehner: I Wouldn't Close Gitmo 'If You Put A Gun To My Head'

It should REALLy read 'he wouldn't close it no matter if you took his tanning bad away!'

A girl can hope NOW can't she.. lol lol

Despite all the cheerleading aP. probably has only a solid 170 votes or so for Obamacare. No way she'll ever get another 46 because as the fence-sitters see that vote going down to defeat, they'll all jump to the "NO" side of the fence.

I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.

I don't usually agree with Kucinich, but this is one time when he is on the money. I don't understand what this health care reform is supposed to accomplish.  On one hand, President Obama and his supporters in Congress tell us that health insurance companies are evil.  On the other hand, they attempt to pass a law that would force the American people to purchase the product that the evil health insurance companies sell.

Oooh, that will show them!

If I owned a business, and the government tried to mandate that every single American purchase the product that my business sells, I don't think I would be to unhappy about it.  Actually, I would be dancing in the streets!

P.S. I hope this post makes the cut.  I realize that is unlikely, considering the MSNBC mandate that each thread have 4,378 posts from Eric in Salinas.

I'm sure that's all true, Dennis. And you should continue to campaign for more reform. But it's political naivete to vote no on any modest reform and think that Democratic no won't be used against reform of any kind. You need to work within the Party for what you want, not confuse the public. And I happen to agree with you.

Koo-koo-Kucinich. Wanted to establish a "Peace Department". I'm sure that would have worked out real well. Glad the Jack Ass party didn't nominate him. And anybody who thinks he's legit is just as koo-koo as he is. How he got that hot wife is a mystery.

First, I want to thank -

Mark Murray  - Deborah Greenlawn, NY - Eric, Salinas, CA  - jesse ,MN - I.R. Va.  - Terry, Disabled Vet, Des Moines, IA  - CA, Tuscaloosa, AL  - Jody, IA - Mo - Elise, SF  -  Feisty - no joe, no bo, nj - newdayDAWNING  

I truly appreciate the warm thoughts and also want to thank all who I might have missed, and even to those who just sent a happy thought my way, but I did want to make a pointed reply to one response I got:

"Saint Dick , you are a wonder. You're laid off under AliBama's regime and yet you still support his socialist programs. Maybe you'll change your mind when you begin to talk with a diverse group of people on the employment lines. See how they fare and see who they mostly gripe at. All the best. Could be any one of us. All I know is that if I get laid off , socialism won't find me a job. Private enterprise will." - juven bachan nyc ny (Sent Friday, March 12, 2010 11:58 AM)

__________________________________

juven bachan -

People like yourself and me would probably not see eye-to-eye much and we do not need to agree on anything, but yes, I will still be supporting Obama's "socialists programs". At a time like this - because of my faith - I get an overwhelmingly sense of calm. I call it the Grace of God and I truly feel I do not need to worry about my next job, etc. That very faith is what led me to vote for Obama.

I want all government wasteful spending to end, I want to be rid of "pork", I want off Middle Eastern oil, I want us out of the Middle East, I want the Corporations to be regulated, I want the banks to be so far under the thumb that they never forget who they are doing business with (the American people), and I want for-profit Health Insurances to die a quick but painful death.

I have faith Obama will get much more done than his adversaries would have you believe - heck, he already has - and now we have HCR, and hopefully a Public Option, waiting in the wings.

If Progressives had listened to Conservatives there would be no Unemployment Insurance, no Cobra, and many other things I might have to rely on if my savings dries up. I have a 7 y/o and an 11 y/o to think about, but they are in no better

hands than God's and that makes me thankful.

Why? Because I never want this kind of meltdown to ever happen again - I want to be able to say with a straight face I truly do live in the greatest nation on Earth, but as Jesus reminded us, we are judged by how we treat those with the least, and right now we just don't pass the "sniff" test.

God bless you all.

Say YES to the Public Option!

I guess we'll be seeing Moveon running anti-Kucinich ads in a day or so.

Apparently Kucinich isn't thinking that things can be changed in the future.  Something needs to be done.  Kucinich doesn't seem to understand that this is the best that can be done as of this moment.  More can be added later.

MSierra, don't know about You, but after 60 years + of sausage making on some form of HealthCare , i'm ready to Fry some eggs & Butter the Toast!

High Noon is snacktime!

The FleaBitten mutts of 1st Read wanna critique Peitro & CA, who spell out thier arguments quite well.

Much better than little Mutts walking around with a LEAKY Colon!

I wonder how Dennis Kucinich will explain to his constituents with pre-existing conditions, those who have had their insurance cancelled, the 45,000 who will die this year because they can't afford health care--that he does NOT care about them.  He didn't get his way; therefore, kill the good the legislation will do.  Kill it for another decade or more.  Kucinich has made his stand but what he should be doing is voting yes and while doing so, vowing to the continue the fight for a public option and single payer, vowing to make the bill better.  Voting yes on the existing bill doesn't mean giving up on what he believes should be done.  My way or the highway--sounds like Bush 43.  

""""" ckaster...You know, walking upright and breathing with your mouth closed will probably help you formulate a few cogent thoughts once in a while. And a little lotion on those knuckles you are dragging wouldn't hurt, either."

Pietro, Columbus, Ohio

Hey Pietro - you forgot to tell ckaster to take the gum out of his mouth before closing it and and trying to walk.  Great laugh as you proved that ckaster and his clueless conservative pals are living proof that Neanderthals did not die out, they just relabled themselves republicans and tea baggers.  Keep up the great work talking truth to the knuckledragging fools of overabundant faith in fox and freaks.

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Friday, March 05, 2010 10:02 AM)

---------------------------------------

Thanks Eric, but as you can see, ckaster still comes back with multiple posts ranting and raving, spewing right-wing talking points with no substance.  I dunno - maybe he LIKES being slapped down repeatedly.  I think that MAYBE if ckaster would actually take a logical position and then defend it, he would probably be taken seriously and engaged a little more on here.

Then again, its ckaster. Maybe SOMEONE will tell him that the Unibrow he is sporting is NOT in this season.

Pietro, Columbus, Ohio (Sent Monday, March 15, 2010 9:38 AM)  """""""""

Any comments coming from you two nutbags are forevermore ignored.  Eric is just a sleazy PoS liberal with extreme hate-filled posts. Lets see just today he says " We can see just how scared witless the repugnant ones are as they pull out every dirty trick and lie to try to stop from having to face the wrath of their party's clueless followers following their defeat."  Uhhh How many Bribes are in the HCR Bill again Eric? Waht other dirty tricks are the Dems pulling as of this weekend to pass HCR Bill, ie student loan throw in?????

" What kind of sleazy board of miseducation does texas have as they rewrite history with their own version of feel good lies?  The texas board of miseducation has given the children in texas the gift of "Duh"! "  I don't know Eric, the same one that stopped some Lib nutbags from taking out Paul Revere and putting in Famous Amos the cookie man? Or that the Mexicans were in the right for attacking and destroying the Alamo? There was also discussion about deleting Ben Franklin and Albert Einstein, so maybe you should be glad they were there. Of course you just really want them to teach marxism and socialist right?

"They have no care whatsoever about what Massa did, if you notice all their questions revolve around what Nancy Pelosi knew and when did she or her staff know it?  Why isn't the LameStream Media reporting this fact or did it just conveniently slip by them?

Unlike the sordid cover up by Has Been Hastert and Crybaby Boehner, Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats are showing their morality and true ethical standards by allowing this waste of time and money investigation to go through.  So unlike the big cover up by the repugnant ones with the Foley affair.  Nancy and the Dems have proven they have far better morals and ethical standards than the party of false family values! "

So, Eric, If Pelosi knew about it since October. Then would she still be ethical to have covered it up for 6 months?

" Osama bin Laden is a Partner with Ali Baba's Beck and Limbaugh and the Gold Pushers!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Monday, March 15, 2010 9:48 AM)"

UH?  Eric = MORON!

Piety, I won't even bother to try and cut and paste your manifesto's...lets just go with demonizing the Insurance companies you and Obama's fav target for this HCR Bill).  It has been reported that most Ins companies profits are around 4-6 percent. Where is that excessive?  How much are the profits from actual care?  How about for Medical devices? I am sure they are more, reportedly 12-22 percent.  

Now lets take a standard person.  Pays say 1k a year for Insurance (or 3, 5, 10 k)...they get sick and the Bills total 1 MILLION for the first year...who is paying for that care? Should EVERYONE get ANYTHING they want ALL the time as far as Health care?  And is the Insurance Company the only one YOU/OBAMA want to blame? Seems like it is.  This Bill saves NO money!  Cuts No Costs! Gives the Insurance companies MORE Guarenteed customers! Takes more from American Tax payers, even (LIE from Obama) those under 250k!

I'm not saying reform does'nt need to happen...I'm saying THIS bill does'nt need to happen.